Does such a HTPC case exist?

FuturDreamz · 18 Oct 2012

I'm currently using a Hec 7k09BBA MicraATX case in my current system, and for my next system I'm hoping to go slimmer. I've found some, such as this Lian Li case that has somewhat the dimentions I want, but it doesn't support optical drives or any current motherboards.

Pretty much this is what I want:
Approximate Dimensions: 2.8" tall, 14" deep, 15" wide
supports MiniITX motherboard, full sized optical drive, 1 2.5" drive and 1 3.5" drive, 1 low-profile video card (using an angle riser card) and a small microatx PSU that's at least 200W, and has a built in card reader.

Is there such a thing? I'm still working out the fit but theoretically it seems possible with plenty of room for airflow.

update: it is possible, depending on the depth of the optical drive and you using a PSU like this one
Here's an example I threw together in Sketchup, using a generic video card (not sure what size the final card would be): http://www.2shared.com/file/HOlEPsYP/concept_htpc.html

I'm pretty sure it's possible to make a case that's almost this small but with this much stuff, and I believe the airflow should be fine. I did forget to make a spot for the front ports and buttons, but the optical drive doesn't seem to be the right height.

It would mostly depend on the depth of the optical drive, the video card, and the actual PSU used...

Lady Fitzgerald · 19 Oct 2012

I'm thinking finding a power supply thin enough to fit in a case like that will be your biggest problem.

Layback Bear · 19 Oct 2012

Can you use a laptop power supply or maybe two.

FuturDreamz · 19 Oct 2012

Lady Fitzgerald said:

I'm thinking finding a power supply thin enough to fit in a case like that will be your biggest problem.

I did. the link that says "this one" was the one I wasa referencing with my psu mockup.
Newegg.ca - APEVIA ITX-AP250W 250W Mini ITX Power Supply - Power Supplies

FuturDreamz · 19 Oct 2012

Layback Bear said:

Can you use a laptop power supply or maybe two.

I'm not sure. Laptop PSU's are usually integrated into the motherboard iirc. This system needs 170-220W (assuming i3-2100 and green hdd), which means a pico psu like this one may work, but the system will be at maximum capacity:
picoPSU-160-XT, 160watt (200watt peak) , 12V input DC-DC ATX Power Supply

Pedroc1999 · 19 Oct 2012

remember that he also wants a video card so you need a bit more watts to include one, why dont you limit the case size to more or less the exact width of an atx psu, then you could buy a nice video card or pcie card

FuturDreamz · 19 Oct 2012

pedroc1999 said:

remember that he also wants a video card so you need a bit more watts to include one, why dont you limit the case size to more or less the exact width of an atx psu, then you could buy a nice video card or pcie card

how's this? Newegg.ca - HIS iCooler H775FS2G Radeon HD 7750 2GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card PSU calculator says that a 220W psu would be fine.

I'm also think that if I wait for haswell, I can just use dedicated graphics and a PicoPSU, so the system can be even smaller.

Standard size PSU are actually slightly taller than the case, so notching out that corner of the case and having the PSU outside may be a possibility.

Pedroc1999 · 19 Oct 2012

what about cutting a hole the size of a atx power supply on top of the case and allow the psu to stick out a bit

FuturDreamz · 19 Oct 2012

Also a possibility. But turns out there's a SFX standard that would fit pretty well, and the case will be almost the same width if I use a low profile card such as this one Newegg.ca - DIAMOND 7750PE51G Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

here's a pretty powerful SFX PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256063

It's definitely doable now, though i should double check the optical drive dimensions.

Pedroc1999 · 19 Oct 2012

yeah that would work, report back once youve built it